Raspberry Jam eBook

Sanford flung out of the room, banging the door behind
him. Eunice heard him speaking to Ferdinand,
rather shortly, and as he left the apartment, she
knew that he had gone to the club in their motor car,
and if she went out, she would have to call a cab.

She began to take off her gown, half deciding to stay
at home. She had never run counter to Embury’s
expressed orders and she hesitated to do so now.

And yet—­the question of money, so summarily
dismissed by her husband, was a very real trouble
to her. In her social position, she actually
needed ready cash frequently, and she had determined
to get it. Her last hope of Sanford failed her,
when he refused to grant her wish as a sort of celebration
of his election, and she persuaded herself that it
was her right to get some money somehow.

Her proposed method was by no means a certain one,
for it was the hazardous plan of winning at bridge.

Although a first-rate player, Eunice often had streaks
of bad luck, and, too, inexpert partners were a dangerous
factor. But, though she sometimes said that
winnings and losings came out about even in the long
run, she had found by keeping careful account, her
skill made it probable for her to win more than she
lost, and this reasoning prompted her to risk high
stakes in hope of winning something worth-while.

Fifi Desternay was a recent acquaintance of hers,
and not a member of the set Eunice looked upon as
her own. But the gatherings at the Desternay
house were gay and pleasant, a bit Bohemian, yet exclusive
too, and Eunice had already spent several enjoyable
afternoons there.

She had never been in the evening, for Embury wouldn’t
go, and had refused to let her go without him.
Nor did she want to, for it was not Eunice’s
way to go out alone at night.

But she was desperate and, moreover, she was exceedingly
angry. Sanford was unjust and unkind. Also,
he had been cross and ugly, and had left her in anger,
a thing that had never happened before.

And she wanted some money at once. A sale of
laces was to be held next day at a friend’s
home, and she wanted to go there, properly prepared
to purchase some bits if she chose to.

Her cheeks flushed as she remembered Mason Elliott’s
offer to give or lend her money, but she smiled gently,
as she remembered the true friendliness of the man,
and his high-mindedness, which took all sting from
his offer.

As she brooded, her anger became more fierce, and
finally, with a toss of her head, she rose from the
chair, rang for the maid, and proceeded to finish
her toilette.

“Lend me some money, will you, Aunt Abby?”
she asked, as, all ready to go, she stepped into the
livingroom.

She had no hesitancy in making this appeal.
If she won, she would repay on her return. If
she lost, Aunt Abby was a good-natured waiter, and
she knew Eunice would pay later.